Results from Three Field Tracer Experiments on the Neighbourhood Scale in the City of Birmingham UK

The physical processes governing flow and pollutantdispersion at the neighbourhood scale, a spatial scaleintermediate between the street scale and the city scale, is notwell understood. Furthermore, it is not clear whether a traditional approach using averaged characteristics such as theaerodynamic roughness length is sufficient to predict the concentration field at this scale. To investigate pollutant dispersion in a real urban area, three field experiments were designed within the UK-URGENT programme sponsored by NERC. Theexperiments were performed in the City of Birmingham using a finite duration release of inert, non-toxic and non-depositingtracers, vis. perfluoromethylcyclohexane (PMCH) and perfluoromethylcyclopentane (PMCP). Measurements were taken using air bag samplers placedin an arc at 3.5 km (first experiment) and 1 km (second andthird experiments) from the source; some trap samplers wereplaced outside the main arc in the outskirts of the city. Measurements were analysed in the laboratory using anovel gas-chromatography technique. Data so obtained werecompared with predictions from a simple steady-state modeland a time-dependent model. The concentration-time serieswere very asymmetrical with a sharp rise, a plateau followedby a relatively slow decrease and finally a long-livedplateau above (or possibly very slow decrease to) thebackground level.     

Large eddy simulation of plume dispersion behind an aircraft in the take-off phase

The aim of this paper is to provide an investigation, using large eddy simulation, into plume dispersion behind an aircraft in co-flowing take-off conditions. Validation studies of the computational model were presented by Aloysius and Wrobel (Environ Model Softw 24:929–937, 2009) and a study of the flow and dispersion properties of a double-engine aircraft jet was presented by Aloysius et al. (EEC/SEE/2007/001, EUROCONTROL Experimental Centre, ), in which only the engine was modelled. In this paper, the complete geometry of a Boeing 737 is modelled and investigated. The current work represents a contribution towards a better understanding of the source dynamics behind an airplane jet engine during the take-off and landing phases. The information provided from these simulations will be useful for future improvements of existing dispersion models.     

Analytical solutions of three-dimensional contaminant transport in uniform flow field in porous media: A library

The purpose of this study is to present a library of analytical solutions for the three-dimensional contaminant transport in uniform flow field in porous media with the first-order decay, linear sorption, and zero-order production. The library is constructed using Green’s function method (GFM) in combination with available solutions. The library covers a wide range of solutions for various conditions. The aquifer can be vertically finite, semi-infinitive or infinitive, and laterally semi-infinitive or infinitive. The geometry of the sources can be of point, line, plane or volumetric body; and the source release can be continuous, instantaneous, or by following a given function over time. Dimensionless forms of the solutions are also proposed. A computer code FlowCAS is developed to calculate the solutions. Calculated results demonstrate the correctness of the presented solutions. The library is widely applicable to solve contaminant transport problems of one- or multiple- dimensions in uniform flow fields.     

Validation of discharge and atmospheric dispersion for unpressurised and pressurised carbon dioxide releases

This paper discusses the validation of discharge and subsequent atmospheric dispersion for both unpressurised and pressurised carbon dioxide releases using the consequence modelling package Phast.The paper first summarises the validation of the Phast dispersion model (UDM) for unpressurised releases. This includes heavy gas dispersion from either a ground-level line source (McQuaid wind-tunnel experiments) or an area source (Kit-Fox field experiments). For the McQuaid experiments minor modifications of the UDM were made to support line sources. For the Kit Fox experiments steady-state and 20-s finite-duration releases were simulated for both neutral and stable conditions. Most accurate predictions of the concentrations for finite duration releases were obtained using the UDM Finite Duration Correction method.Using experiments funded by BP and Shell and made available via DNV's CO2PIPETRANS JIP, the paper secondly summarises the validation of the Phast discharge and dispersion models for pressurised CO₂ releases. This modelling accounted for the possible presence of the solid CO₂ phase following expansion to atmospheric pressure. These experiments included both high-pressure steady-state and time-varying cold releases (liquid storage) and high-pressure time-varying supercritical hot releases. Both the flow rate and the concentrations were found to be predicted accurately.The above validation was carried out with no fitting whatsoever of the Phast extended discharge and dispersion models.     

Phast validation of discharge and atmospheric dispersion for pressurised carbon dioxide releases

The consequence modelling package Phast examines the progress of a potential incident from the initial release to the far-field dispersion including the modelling of rainout and subsequent vaporisation. The original Phast discharge and dispersion models allow the released substance to occur only in the vapour and liquid phases. The latest versions of Phast include extended models which also allow for the occurrence of fluid to solid transition for carbon dioxide (CO₂) releases.As part of two projects funded by BP and Shell (made publicly available via CO2PIPETRANS JIP), experimental work on CO₂ releases was carried out at the Spadeadam site (UK) by GL Noble Denton. These experiments included both high-pressure steady-state and time-varying cold releases (liquid storage) and high-pressure time-varying supercritical hot releases (vapour storage). The CO₂ was stored in a vessel with attached pipework. At the end of the pipework a nozzle was attached, where the nozzle diameter was varied.This paper discusses the validation of Phast against the above experiments. The flow rate was predicted accurately by the Phast discharge models (within 10%; considered within the accuracy at which the BP experimental data were measured), and the concentrations were found to be predicted accurately (well within a factor of two) by the Phast dispersion model (UDM). This validation was carried out with no fitting whatsoever of the Phast extended discharge and dispersion models.     

有机粘土疏水性吸附过程的分子模拟:烷基碳原子数和有机物logK_(ow)的影响

基于从分子尺度上解析改性剂烷基碳原子数和有机物疏水性对有机粘土吸附能力的影响机制,以从头算的量子化学计算方法(MP2/6-31g(d))模拟了有机粘土在水溶液中的吸附过程.通过计算吸附前后几何构型、能量、化学键和电荷分布等参数的变化,分析了影响有机粘土疏水性吸附的关键因素,并对疏水性吸附作用力的化学本质进行了初步探讨.计算结果表明,烷基碳原子数增加对提高有机物吸附能的作用并不显著,长链烷基提高有机粘土吸附容量的真正原因在于其可提供更多的有机物吸附位.有机物的疏水性(以正辛醇-水分配系数logKow表征)是影响疏水性吸附过程的关键因子,水分子的引力作用对疏水性吸附具有决定性影响,理论上解释了普遍存在的有机物吸附量与logKow呈正相关的实验现象.疏水性吸附力的作用前提是有机物为疏水性,即当水分子的引力作用较弱时疏水性作用力才可以表现出来;而对于亲水性有机物,疏水性吸附力会被水分子的引力所抵消,吸附强度减弱.模拟红外光谱和电荷分布结果表明,吸附前后无化学键断裂和电子得失的发生,只有原子电荷密度的微小变化,据此推测疏水性吸附力以分子间弱相互作用力——London色散力为主.     

尼罗红荧光染色法的优化及应用

以自主筛选的小球藻为材料对尼罗红荧光染色进行条件优化,并用该方法追踪微藻在污水中的油脂含量变化。实验发现,微藻只有经过超声波破碎,染色才会出现荧光,DMSO的添加会增强荧光反应。最终确定其染色条件为:DMSO与藻液体积比为1∶5,超声波破碎5 min后染色5 min,NR质量浓度1.5μg/m L。在其应用方面发现,微藻的油脂积累量只有培养基的一半,说明污水不利于微藻油脂的积累;最佳采收时期为平稳期,此时微藻的产量和油脂含量达到最高。     

超声波对污泥破解及改善其厌氧消化效果的研究

利用槽式超声波发生器对城市污水处理厂剩余污泥进行处理,研究超声波对污泥的破解效果以及破解后污泥消化产气能力的改善情况,分别比较超声波发生方式、处理时间、功率和声能密度等因素对污泥破解及厌氧消化等特性的影响.结果表明,经过超声波处理后的污泥在厌氧反应初期.其产气速率增长较为明显.同时,单频超声波处理后污泥的厌氧产气累积增量高于双频超声波,为40.93%.而双频超声波处理后污泥的SCOD溶出量大,比单频高23.5%.     

Pool evaporation: Experimental tests at medium-scale with gasoline

Pool evaporation is a major source of flammable vapour clouds. Predicting the evaporation rate of a liquid hydrocarbon pool is therefore a key issue of dispersion modelling for safety concerns. This paper presents small- and medium-scale experiments of pool evaporation carried out with liquid hydrocarbons (pentane, heptane), hydrocarbon “gasoline-like” mixtures and gasoline. Liquid mass loss was measured and the evaporation rate deduced with its evolution in time. Other observations are highlighted, regarding the evolution of liquid temperatures, mixture compositions, and scale effects like the influence of pool length on surface evaporation rate. Comparisons with well-known correlations are then shown. The authors finally suggest a new semi-empirical correlation with a set of parameters fitted on the performed experiments.     

CFD simulations of dust dispersion in the 1 m3 explosion vessel

According to standard procedures, flammability and explosion parameters for dusts and dust mixtures are evaluated in 20 L and/or 1 m³ vessels, with equivalent results provided a correct ignition delay time (60 ms in the 20 L vessel; 600 ms in the 1 m³ vessel). In this work, CFD simulations of flow field and dust concentration distribution in the 1 m³ spherical vessel are performed, and the results compared to the data previously obtained for the 20 L. It has been found that in the 1 m³ vessel, the spatial distribution of the turbulent kinetic energy is lower and much more uniform. Concerning the dust distribution, as in the case of the 20 L, dust is mainly concentrated at the outer zones of the vortices generated inside the vessel. Furthermore, an incomplete feeding is attained, with most of the dust trapped in the perforated annular nozzle. Starting from the maps of dust concentration and turbulent kinetic energy, the deflagration index K_St is calculated in both vessels. In the conditions of the present work, the K_St is found to be 2.4 times higher in the 20 L than in the 1 m³ vessel.